Petitioning for green card for my mother

[n1894 0]

Hello All,

I want to petition for a green card for my mother. I am US citizen, and she currently resides outside of the US. Two questions -

1) Is it correct that initially I have to file just I-130 (together with proof of citizenship and birth certificate)? Who files I-485 and I-864 - would it be also me, or will my mother have to do that through the consulate? Can I file them concurrently with I-130 if my mother is outside of the US?

2) I am currently employed, but my job will end at the end of this month and then there are three scenarios: I will either start a new job, become unemployed and continue looking for a job, or if I'm offered admission I may be preparing to go back to school in September. In two of these cases I won't be able to qualify as a sponsor on the affidavit of support. It seems like in that case I would have to recruit a joint sponsor, can that person be anyone or are there some restrictions? And if I do get a joint sponsor, what forms do they have to fill in? Is it just a second I-864 or something else?

(Should I hurry up to file I-130 while I'm still employed? Or will unemployment have no effect on approval of I-130?)

Thanks to anyone who can chip in with some information!

Edited March 8, 2012 by n1894

[Alfred_O 0]

If your mother is not currently in the U.S, start off by filing forms I-130 and I-864. You do not need to file the i-485 since it is an adjustment of status for those already here. You need your proof of citizenship and birth certificate to show the relationship.

You can use a co-sponsor, but I think the co-sponsor needs to be a member of your household. Your mother's assets can also be used. Send the forms as soon as possible. After the I-130 is approved, you'll have to fill out another I-864. Hopefully by then, you have a job or a sponsor showing you can support your mom. Goodluck with the process

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

**** Moving from AOS from Family to Bringing Family of US Citizens as OP's mom lives outside the USA ****

[kcoyclay1 98]

If your mother is not currently in the U.S, start off by filing forms I-130 and I-864. You do not need to file the i-485 since it is an adjustment of status for those already here. You need your proof of citizenship and birth certificate to show the relationship.

You can use a co-sponsor, but I think the co-sponsor needs to be a member of your household. Your mother's assets can also be used. Send the forms as soon as possible. After the I-130 is approved, you'll have to fill out another I-864. Hopefully by then, you have a job or a sponsor showing you can support your mom. Goodluck with the process

There is a difference between joint sponsor and household sponsor and she can use either. There is no stipulation that she has to use someone in her household. If it were so, it would mean that if the US citizen is the only child of the applicant, and he or she is unmarried and lives alone, he or she would be unable to petition for the parent. This is not so. A petitioner can use anyone as a joint sponsor as long as they qualify based on USCIS regulations.

Also, unemployment does not affect petitioning. The petitioner needs to have filed taxes for the last 3 years. However, the joint sponsor needs to be employed as well as filed 3 years taxes. If the applicant is unemployed the joint or household sponsor, whichever is used, guarantee financial responsibility of the applicant in the event of hardship.

Edited March 8, 2012 by kcoyclay1

[aleful 1,905]

If your mother is not currently in the U.S, start off by filing forms I-130 and I-864. You do not need to file the i-485 since it is an adjustment of status for those already here. You need your proof of citizenship and birth certificate to show the relationship.

You can use a co-sponsor, but I think the co-sponsor needs to be a member of your household. Your mother's assets can also be used. Send the forms as soon as possible. After the I-130 is approved, you'll have to fill out another I-864. Hopefully by then, you have a job or a sponsor showing you can support your mom. Goodluck with the process

Not true, for now he only files for the i130, the i864 and other forms are sent at the NVC or National Visa Center stage.

[aleful 1,905]

Hello All,

I want to petition for a green card for my mother. I am US citizen, and she currently resides outside of the US. Two questions -

1) Is it correct that initially I have to file just I-130 (together with proof of citizenship and birth certificate)? Who files I-485 and I-864 - would it be also me, or will my mother have to do that through the consulate? Can I file them concurrently with I-130 if my mother is outside of the US?

2) I am currently employed, but my job will end at the end of this month and then there are three scenarios: I will either start a new job, become unemployed and continue looking for a job, or if I'm offered admission I may be preparing to go back to school in September. In two of these cases I won't be able to qualify as a sponsor on the affidavit of support. It seems like in that case I would have to recruit a joint sponsor, can that person be anyone or are there some restrictions? And if I do get a joint sponsor, what forms do they have to fill in? Is it just a second I-864 or something else?

(Should I hurry up to file I-130 while I'm still employed? Or will unemployment have no effect on approval of I-130?)

Thanks to anyone who can chip in with some information!

Forget the i485, that's only to adjust status in country, your mother will go through consular processing in her country of origin. The i130 can take over 5 months of waiting, so the sooner you file, the better. As said, when the time comes to send the i864, you can have a joint sponsor if needed.